The return of the gifted one to the North of Birmingham coincided with the FitNemeis Thomason (A) turning out for his new regulars, YouuuuuBBBBearrrrrrrrrssss, up in Northumbria. Buoyed by the long batting line-up, discussion én route was a nailed on heads call, bat first, blah blah. Dreams turned to dust however when the T'Atchers slush machine was in for repair, leading to a couple of warm ones prior to an early kick-off of 1:00 pm.
As the soon to be out of circulation quid was flipped (it was facing tails on his hand) - a no-brainer call of heads was offered by the FitSkipperrr, chest puffed and confidently mouthing the words "we'll have a bat" when it fell tails, and it all went Pete Tong after that really...

FitFielding/FitBowling
All started so well - Raj and DD Healey keeping things in check, DDH being calmed enough to bowl the number 3, and Raj snapping up both openers, one with a chancey catch from the CockerKnee, such that after 16 overs the oppo' were about 60-70 odd? The Chairman (& son) had seen enough, and parted no doubt anticipating a successful FitChase - Dave Healey 8-1-20-1; Raj 8-1-35-2.
The Battle of the Elders then took centre stage - Ade and Sharif on 19 wickets apiece with the numbers 4, 5 and 6 still to come.....
Unfortunately, timely fours were interspersed with massive sixes, enough for Ade to suggest "take me off - I'll bowl at the death" after bagging a 2-fer (soon to be 73). The rest of the bowling "attack" (Jonesy/Bal/Tuckerrr) remained wicketless and went for a load, and with Barrrrr regular Borstall seeing it like a Basketball, who, ably assisted by some very ordinary fielding and dropped at least 3 times (along with a missed stumping on nought??), accelerated to his ton as the 6th wicket pair added loads in no time. Suddenly 300 looked on - not another declaration pending?? 290 for 5 the final punishment, with both Highcroft Centurions being applauded by alllllllll the Fitmen.

Tea
The FitKangarooCourt decided we need to up our charges for the dream teas dished up at The Graveyard - enough said.
Ade was heard to say the pasta was rubbery - not the far east version of loverly though, unfortunately...

FitBatting
All about partnerships this game - and the only one of any significance was that of UnRetired Rich Harris and Stalwart Si Howarth - the pair adding just short of 150 to up the score to a respectable 240 odd. Of note was the fact that Rich managed only two sixes in a majestic ton (19 beautiful fours mind you), testament to the decent bowling the Fitmen were up against even considering the 30-yard leg side boundary. As is customary though, Harris did try to make a meal of getting out on 99, again, slapping one straight up to Fly-Slip, only to run the single "in the hope that"....yes he DID drop it...and Rich ambled through for his maiden Fitmen Ton.
Rich 109 off 76 balls (19 x Fours; 2 x sixes) .... again, allllll Fitmen applauded....
Si's first scoring shot was a Back-o-the-bat SIX, and with the addition of four lovely fours, crafted a fine 45 off 62 balls. With continuous instructions for these two to "go deep", both fell to low grubbers trying to push on admirably, leaving the rest to try their hand...Gav and Ade were the only other two who managed double figures, and with the clean sweep of Ducks (Gold; Silver; Bronze) belonging to Tom "(opens for his Saturday team you know)" Houlgate; Tuckerrr; & Sharif, the Fitmen succumbed to 243-9, with eight of the victims being bowled. DDH's pre-meditated-guaranteed slog-sweep six over midwicket was unfortunately recorded in the book as a W (clean bowled...). Ade was the only one caught, off his one-shotttttttttttttt straight to Deep Long Off who was positioned in the special Catching Zone.
Bal had the final say, smazzing a dirty pie to mid-wicket for a chanceless 5 off 2 (1 x four) - back to the barrrrrr.
No jugs (no point - slush machine's broke innit) meant a cheap(er) round for one Centurion at least.